Implementation of the National Development Plan

Address by the premier of the Northern Cape, Ps Sylvia Lucas on the occasion of the Implementation of the National Development Plan, 14-15 March 2014 at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley.

It is very important to note that the National Development Plan (NDP) is based on the political and socio-economic thinking that is rooted in the Freedom Charter.

At the core of the National Development Plan is a shared vision for the future aimed at eliminating poverty, promoting a long-term agenda for inclusive economic growth, nation building and social cohesion, building a developmental state, social protection and building safer communities.

The Plan is a very good example of the extent to which civil society and the social partners can work together with government to realise this vision.

At the very outset, the NDP is people focused and it is an extensive and visionary statement about the developmental trajectory that South Africa needs to follow to meet the vision more generally stated in the Freedom Charter. In these terms the NDP is not a departure from the Charter or the Reconstruction and Development Plan or Gear.

What must be appreciated is the manner in which the NDP seeks to advance the welfare of all South Africans and that includes workers in all sectors of our economy and country.

The NDP has set 2030 as the target to reach the agreed upon goals of development. In so doing the NDP is a calibrated developmental framework that seeks to address the key concerns of stimulating the economy towards sustained and sustainable growth. In so doing the vision is that key sector jobs will be created to meet the challenges of unemployment across the country. The immediate spinoff of economic growth will be seen in the overall upliftment of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities in South Africa.

The long-term outcome of sustained and sustainable growth is more houses for struggling communities and expanded infrastructure in terms of roads, water, electricity, schools and medical facilities. What all of these points to is that the NDP is focused on the needs of the people of South Africa. It is a complimentary approach that highlights the urgent need to create jobs by stimulating economic growth.

We must also recognise that the people were widely consulted in drafting the NDP. This is not a top-down leadership driven plan. On the contrary, the NDP canvassed the opinions of rank and file South Africans and their voices and opinions are found in the planning and outcome of the NDP. It does not take much to see how the concerns voiced about poverty, unemployment and development goals are echoed in the NDP. What the NDP in turn did after consulting South Africans is to offer a coherent and measured plan to alleviate these crucial and critical challenges.

Again, this only proves that the NDP is in keeping with the traditions of the Freedom Charter in that it recognises the people of this country as the most important part of its planning into the future. In this sense, the NDP is also aligned with the overall strategy of government’s Economic Growth and Development Strategy. For example, the NDP reflects the thinking and approach contained in the New Growth Path and Industrial Policy Action Plan. If you look at both documents it will be apparent that the emphasis on lowering living costs for all, alleviating poverty and unemployment and boosting the economy is stressed. Also, both seek to create opportunities for enhancing investment opportunities and creating an infrastructural arena where business and the private sector at large can grow through research and long-term investments.

In so doing there is careful attention paid to key sectors like mining. This includes highlighting the need to bolster public transport and moving freight throughout the country and via our seaports. This emphasis is carried over into other key economic sectors such as agriculture where there is a need to make sure that our nation is food secured.

To meet the challenges of a developmental state the NDP is focused on increasing skills. The first line towards increasing skills is focusing on education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. If the economy is to grow we will need skill sets that are adept to creating a sophisticated and expanding economy. In a developmental state this will be crucial, that is, linking education and skills to a plan that promotes mining, agriculture, businesses and the private sector in general. A greater skills base will also add value to the economy by aiding development of the manufacturing sector.

What all of this means is better conditions for all South Africans especially workers. With higher levels of education there will be expanded opportunities in all sectors of our economy and the result will be higher incomes which mean better and improved lives. Workers will benefit from this upgraded lifestyle and their futures will be more secure and prosperous.

It is inside of this considered thinking that the NDP should be embraced as a people’s document that lays out a very measured plan to reach the goal of a better life for all.